Joining Saudi-led alliance to tackle Houthi challenges -Says PM’s Adviser Humaiun Kobir

Bangladesh yesterday described its relationship with Saudi Arabia as “strategic” and said its decision to join a Saudi-led maritime defence alliance is aimed at tackling challenges created by the Houthis of Yemen.

“It is an alliance to tackle the activities of the Houthis. Whatever resources we have, we will extend,” Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir told reporters at the foreign ministry when asked about the background to Bangladesh’s participation.

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“We have a very special relationship with Saudi Arabia. The relationship with Saudi Arabia will not simply be limited to pilgrims performing Hajj and Umrah, nor is it just from a religious perspective,” he said, noting that the Gulf kingdom is the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.

He said cooperation in security, moral and ethical support, and efforts to tackle the Houthi challenges are all part of that special relationship.

Kobir said Bangladesh’s relationship with Saudi Arabia is becoming increasingly strategic and will grow even stronger.

Bangladesh is among 14 countries that have backed the initiative and endorsed the consensus on its foundational arrangements. The other signatories are Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Pakistan, Türkiye, Egypt, Jordan, Yemen, Nigeria, Sudan, Djibouti and Somalia.

In a statement published on Thursday, Saudi Arabia’s defence ministry said the Multinational Maritime Defense Alliance had been established as a framework to strengthen collective maritime defence cooperation and safeguard freedom of navigation through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

The announcement followed a meeting hosted by Saudi Arabia involving chiefs of staff and representatives from friendly countries, along with the Delegation of the European Union to Saudi Arabia, to discuss the initiative.

The 14 participating countries issued a joint declaration, while other countries attending the meeting expressed support for the initiative and are completing their internal procedures to join. The declaration will remain open to those countries, as well as other interested states, once they complete their national approvals.

Participants reaffirmed their commitment to completing the foundational procedures for establishing the alliance, saying it would strengthen collective efforts to counter and deter threats to maritime security, protect international sea lanes, safeguard freedom of navigation and global trade, and promote regional and international security and stability.

The meeting drew chiefs of staff and their representatives from 43 countries, along with the EU delegation, out of 51 countries and organisations invited. Participants joined either in person or by videoconference.